MILWAUKEE -- The 50th edition of Summerfest kicked off Wednesday at Noon.
Excitement is building ahead of the World's Largest Music Festival, which runs for 11 days.
"We're excited about the lineup, about this being our 50th, and we're ready to crank it out," said Summerfest Entertainment Director Bob Babisch.
"You've got the Red Hot Chili Peppers tonight, Luke Bryan tomorrow and Paul Simon the next day," he said.
The gates to Henry Maier Festival Park open at Noon.
People arriving between Noon and 3:00 p.m. Wednesday can get in free of admission with the donation of three, non-perishable food items.
Once inside, the festival's attendees can check out a tent exhibit about the history of Summerfest.
"You can see all the artists that played here," said Sarah Smith Pancheri, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Rain is expected Wednesday afternoon and evening. Smith Pancheri said fans are still urged to come out, but to plan accordingly.
"Ponchos are encouraged," Smith Pancheri said. "Umbrellas are allowed on the grounds."
"Right now, everything is looking like it'll be a go," she said. "Unless there's severe weather."
Summerfest workers will be monitoring the weather forecast in the coming hours. In the event of severe weather, the festival would be temporarily stopped as a safety precaution.
Smith Pancheri said no decision has been made yet on whether heavy rain would be enough to postpone tonight's expected fireworks show.
